Water-bicycle



J. PIATESKI.

WATER BICYCLE. APPLICATION FILED FEB-12, 1919. '1 532,634, Patented Mar. 2,1920.

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INVENTOR Jame/Piakm.

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J. PIATESKI.

WATER BICYCLE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.12, 1919.

1 32,634. y Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR JAMES PIATESKI, OF NEW KENSING'ION, PENNSYLVANIA.

WATER-BICYCLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Application filed February 12, 1919. Serial No. 276,468.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES PIAT'ESKEE, a citizen of Russia, residing at New Kensmgton, county of Westmoreland, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Water-Eloycles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in aquatic vehicles, andparticularly to types adapted to be self propelled by an operator in the manner of a bicycle.

The principal object of the 1I1Ve11tl0I11S to provide a device, comprising a plurahty of floats inter-engaged and supporting a seat in such manner that the operator can conveniently and forcibly propel the apparatus and steer the same safely on the surface of water.

These and other like objects are attained by the novel construction and comblnation of pants hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a material part of this disclosure, and in wh1ch Figure 1 is a side elevatio-nal v1ew showing an apparatus made in accordance with the invention, and indicating the manner of its operation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan vlew showing a mod fied form of construction of the water b1- cycle.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig.1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational and sectional view showing a portion of the guide or controlling means, and,

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 77 of Fig. 6.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a pair of floats comprising cylinders 10, having conical points 11 and 12 are arranged in spaced parallel relation, the same being secured together by cross-bars 14, while the adjacent ends 12 of the float elements are formed with ferrules or collars 15, in which are secured longitudinally disposed tubular bars 16, cross connected by transverse bars 17.

Extending downwardly from the front transverse bar 17 is a vertical support 18 curved rearwardly at its lower end and forming a horizontal element 20 which is rigidly connected by a slmllar vertical support 21 near its outer rear end, and engaged with a center support 22, formed with a transverse element 23 so as to provide a firm and rigid structure.

A hollow circular casing composed of two parts 24 and 25 which are held together by rivets 26 or the like, is secured to the elements 18 and 20 at the bend formed by these elements and is further secured to the element 18 by a brace 27 as can best be seen in Fig. 1.

Rotatably mounted in the center of the casing elements is a spindle 28 having attached at its extending end, arms 29, carrying pedals 30 these pedals being adapted to be actuated by the feet of the rider, which pass through clips 31 so as to be secured in place.

Attached upon the spindle 28, adjacent to the inner side of the casing element 25, is a bevel gear 33, meshing with the teeth of a bevel pinion 34, mounted on a horizontal shaft 35 extending outward, through the casing and journaled in bearings 36 and 37 formed respectively at the lower end of the vertical supports 22 and 21, a propeller 38 being fixed upon the outer extending end of the shaft, the propeller operating between the lower horizontal element 20 and a fixed projection 39 secured to the vertical support 21 extending rearwardly.

Immediately above the projection 39 is a rudder 40, its stem being fixed upon the lower end of a vertical shaft 42, journaled in the rear support 21, its upper end having attached to it a pair of tiller arms 43 extending laterally outward, and engaged with the outer ends of the arms 43, are cables 44, connected at their outer ends with blocks 45 slidably engaged in arcuate guard elements 46.

Fixed in the blocks 45, are U shaped handles 48, controlled by the arcuate guide 46, the handles extending in the front, and at the sides of the operator in a manner which will be clearly evident.

Extending rigidly in, from the center vertical support 22, is a narrow saddle or seat 50 adapted to support the rider, who is partially encircled by the guide frame 46, the arms extending beyond the bars 16 and the feet rest upon the pedals which are operated in the usual manner.

In order to brace and support the structure, guide rods 51 and 32 extend from the cross supports 14, at their point of attachment to the floats to the rear support 21 and the front support 18, converging inwardly at their points of attachment to the supports soas to hold the structure firmly in position.

In the modification, shown in Fig. 3, a longitudinally extending tube 55 is engaged With the inner ends 15 of the floats 10, While the guide element 46 is supported by diagonal tubular braces 56, and a single pair of floats only is used. In other respects the construction is as has been described.

From the foregoingit Will be seen that an easily operated apparatus has been disclosed Which is capable of floating upon the surface of the Water, and by its buoyant effect support an operator, who, due to the mechanism, is easily able to propel and navigate the apparatus in the Water.

Having thus described my invention What I claim is new and desire to secure by Let-' ters Patent, is

A device of the character described comprising in combination, a frame, a plurality of floats carried by said frame, a partially slotted arcuate guide in said frame, a pair of slidable blocks fitting said guide, U-shaped handles straddling the upper corner of said guide and having one of their arms secured to said blocks, and another arm projecting forwardly and downwardly from said corner, a vertical shaft, tiller arms secured to said shaft, flexible connections secured to the underside of said blocks and to said tiller arms and extending into said arcuate guide, and a center and rear support for said frame, a propeller shaft ,journa'ledin said supports, and a rudder on said vertical shaft adapted to be controlled through said flexible connections, and means for actuating said propeller, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

JAMES PIATESKI. 

